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And naturally, God told you that you are infallibly one of them

Ah, yes, the Key point. Since the Protestant definition of God picks and Chooses whom He wants, who's to say that He hasn't picked ANY OF us? That we have no way to redeem ourselves? That we are damned with no hope of salvation? That being baptized in whatever Church will not save us? How do you know that or not? Your prayingm, your actions etc. have no bearing, so you can do as you please because God has already chosen, so if you are in the "elect", you can lead a hedonistic life and yet wind up in heaven and if you aren't in the "elect", you can live like a saint and still burn? Wouldn't that be in line with your churches' teachings, Forest, Harley, Marlowe, ItsOurTimeNow ?

Ah, yes, the Key point. Since the Protestant definition of God picks and Chooses whom He wants, who's to say that He hasn't picked ANY OF us?

Who indeed.

That we have no way to redeem ourselves?

Are you the redeemer or God?

? That we are damned with no hope of salvation?

There is always the hope of salvation. Where do you get the idea from protestantism that anyone has no hope of salvation. We are all damned without Christ and Christ is available to all who are willing to come to him.

That being baptized in whatever Church will not save us?

Where do you get the idea that it is baptism that saves. It is by grace you are saved through faith.

How do you know that or not? Your prayingm, your actions etc. have no bearing, so you can do as you please because God has already chosen, so if you are in the "elect", you can lead a hedonistic life and yet wind up in heaven and if you aren't in the "elect", you can live like a saint and still burn?

Well if you think you can lead a hedonistic life and crucify the lord over and over, I suspect you do not have faith in Christ. And if you think you can do enough good works to earn a spot in heaven, you are on the road to hell as sure as the guy who thinks he can live a hedonistic life in Christ>

Wouldn't that be in line with your churches' teachings, Forest, Harley, Marlowe, ItsOurTimeNow ?

Speaking for Marlowe's Church, I'd have to say no.

... your actions etc. have no bearing, so you can do as you please because God has already chosen, so if you are in the "elect", you can lead a hedonistic life and yet wind up in heaven and if you aren't in the "elect", you can live like a saint and still burn?

I would say that your actions have nothing to do with whether you are among the elect, but that your actions do affect your reward in Heaven. As a member of the elect you will still commit sin, but you are not free to turn away from God permanently, losing salvation. God marks the elect with the Spirit and promises that He will always keep them. Since people who agree with me do not think that living a good life gets one into Heaven, it should not be surprising that even a good life led by a non-elect changes nothing.

I concur with Marlowe's reply to your line of questioning, Cronos. In order to save time, I won't reiterate what's already been said.

Although I will add:

>>so if you are in the "elect", you can lead a hedonistic life and yet wind up in heaven<<

Salvation brings about a godly sorrow for sin. While we still sin, it grieves us because it grievs the Holy Spirit. I daresay a saved Christian will not sin with complete "carte blanche" impunity and not have it bother his or her conscience. We grieve for our sin, and it brings about our desire to repent and "go and sin no more".

>>if you aren't in the "elect", you can live like a saint and still burn?<<

Works don't save. Just as baptism doesn't save. Just as "The Church" doesn't save. Only Christ saves.